A Petersen Patron

Edgar Ruby Harlan (1869–1941) was the second Curator of the Iowa Historical and Memorial Department from 1908–1938.  For many years Harlan was an advocate of the Meskwaki tribe.  In 1929 Christian Petersen (1885-1961) was living in Chicago when he was approached by Harlan to sculpt a portrait bust of Harlan, one of Young Bear (1868-1945) and a bas relief of Young Bear’s father, Pushetonequa (1839-1919).  Harlan was a source of other sculpture commissions for Petersen that eventually spurred his move from Chicago, IL to Des Moines, IA. Harlan’s network of connections helped Petersen who was financially struggling during the Great Depression.

A pivotal connection for Petersen was made during the summer of 1933 when he held an exhibition at the Younker’s Department Store Tea Room in Des Moines.  Petersen was approached by Raymond Hughes, then president of Iowa State College (1927-1936), who wanted him to design a fountain for campus, eventually to become The History of Dairying. Hughes offered to put him up at his residence, the Knoll, plus pay him $100 a month while he worked on the fountain design.  It was an offer of employment that was too good for Petersen to pass up.

A boost in Hughes’ vision was received through a financial appropriation from the federal Civil Works Administration. It fostered the creation of the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP) that would employ promising artists who needed work. After the conclusion of the PWAP, Petersen began a career as artist-in-residence at Iowa State that lasted until his retirement in 1955.

Edgar Harlan had a special relationship with the Meskwaki and in documenting and collecting their material culture has left a lasting historical record. He helped the tribe to revive their powwow tradition that continues today. In 1923 Harlan was adopted into the tribe and given the name ME-SHE-KA or Snapping Turtle.